Full-opening well tool



Aug. 29, 1967 H- 1 MCG|| 3,338,3

FULL-OPENING WELL TOOL Filed Sept. 29, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l #awa/d l. /WcG/// NVENTOR.

Aug. 29, 1967 H L.. MCGILL.

FULL-OPENING WELL TOOL Filed Sept. 29, 1965 f//ZZA 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Howard Mc* G/// INVEN'IOR.

Aug. 29, 1967 H, L, MCGlLL 3,338,30

vFULIJ-OFENI NG WELL TOOL Filed sept'. 29, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ham/afd /Wc6/// INVENTOR.

-' Filed sept .v 29, 1965 Aug. 29, 967 H, MCG|| 3,338,310

FULL-OPENING WELL TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f/fff Howard /VcG/// INVEN'IUR.

ATTORNEY lf/WM;

United States Patent O 3,338,310 FULL-OPENIN G WELL TOL Howard L. McGill, Houston, Tex., assignor to Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Sept. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 491,328 11 Claims. (Cl. 1156-128) This invention relates to well tools that are selectively operable to provide an unrestricted central passage therethrough by employing reinforced constrictible flexible sleeve members.

It is customary to dependently couple a number of different full-bore well tools from a tubing string for performing such operations as testing a formation under flowing or static conditions, squeeze cementing, acidizing or fluid fracturing. Such a string of full-bore tools usually includes a full-bore packer for packing-off the Well bore to remove the hydrostatic pressure of the well control fluids from the formations below where the packer is set. In a number of these operations, it is preferred to include in the string of tools one having a valve closing the tubing string above the packer to prevent entrance of fluids in the well bore into the tubing string as the tools are being positioned.

Thus, by keeping the tubing string dry, it will be unnecessary to remove fluids from the tubing by swabbing or gas displacement before testing or completion operations can be started. Moreover, by selectively closing the lower end of the tubing string, treating fluids can be placed in the tubing string above the valve and selectively discharged below the packer without having been contaminated by fluids in the well as the tools are being shifted from one position to another.

In addition to selectively controlling fluid communication, it is particularly desirable to have a tool so versatile that it can also be opened to leave an unrestricted axial passage large enough to pass completion tools as well as high flow rates of cement or fracturing fluids. Although various tools having full-opening passages have been used heretofore, such tools normally employ either a removable center section or else a flapper valve that must be opened against the full diferential pressure across the tool. In addition to being more complex, those tools with removable center sections require special equipment for retrieving the center section to open the central passage. On the other hand, although those tools using a pivoted flapper valve are generally less complex, it is not uncommon that such valves are damaged when opened against extreme differential pressures.

It will be recognized, of course, that a so-called flexible conduit or collapsible sleeve valve should be ideally suited for such applications as just described. These sleeve-type valves are generally comprised of a resilient sleeve concentrically disposed within a tubular housing, with its ends being fluidly sealed and firmly secured to the housing to provide a sealed annular space around the sleeve. By applying hydraulic pressure into this outer annular space sulciently in excess of that of the fluid flowing through the sleeve, the central portion of the sleeve will collapse or constrict to block fluid communication through the central bore of the sleeve.

It will be appreciated, however, that when a valve sleeve is fully constricted, the pressure differential between the fluid downstream of the sleeve and those inside and around the sleeve will be acting on its full crosssectional area. These pressure differentials can therefore exert substantial longitudinal forces on the sleeve, which forces must of course be carried, if at all, by the terminal portions of the sleeve that are secured to the housing. Thus, since the differential between the hydraulic and upstream pressures and the downstream pressure could ICC well lbe thousands of pounds per square in-ch in most well bores, these forces are of such magnitude that it has theretofore been considered impractical to employ such valves for well tools.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved full-opening well tools employing reinforced sleeve-type valves with means for reliably maintaining the valves tightly shut-off as well as easily opening them against high differential pressures to leave an unrestricted passage therethrough.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention both as to its organization and manner of operation together with other and further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by way of illustration and example of certain embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: y

FIG. 1 shows a string of well tools, including a tool employing the principles of the present invention, as they may appear within a well bore;

FIGS. 2A-2C are successive elevational views in partial cross section of one embodiment of a well tool of the present invention as it will appear when the valve is closed;

FIGS. 3A-3C are successive views 'of the tool shown in FIG. 2, but showing the valve in its open position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2A; and

FIG. 5 is a view showing one end of a preferred embodiment of a valve sleeve for application in the tool of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a number of full-bore well tools 10-13 are shown tandemly connected to one another and dependently coupled from the lower end of a vtubing string 14 in a cased well bore 15. At the lower end of these tools 10-13, a conventional full-bore packer 13 is arranged for selectively packing-off the well bore 15. A conventional hydraulic holdown 12 is coupled to the mandrel 16 of the pa-cker 13 and arranged to engage the casing 17 to secure the mandrel against upward movement whenever the packer is set and the pressure within the tubing string 14 exceeds the hydrostatic pressure of the well control fluids 18 in the well bore 15. A typical bypass valve 11, coupled by a tubing sub 19 above the holddown 12, is suitably arranged to be opened to facilitate shifting the tools 10-13 within the well bore 15 by diverting a substantial portion of the fluids 18 through the central bore of the retracted packer 13. Connected at the upper end of the string of tools 10-13 is a tool 10 arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a series of successive elevational views partially in cross section are shown of the tool 10 in its closed and opened positions. Since it is obvious to those skilled in the art that such a tool is typically comprised of separate tubular elements threadedly `connected to one another to facilitate its manufacture and assembly, FIGS. 2 and 3 have been somewhat simplified by showing some of these separate elements as a single member for purposes of greater clarity.

As seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the tool 10 is comprised of a movable tubular housing 19 having a resilient sleeve member 20 mounted within the upper portion and its lower end telescopically tted over the upper portion of a tubular mandrel 21. The upper end of the housing 19 is provided with threads 22 for coupling to the tubing string 14 (FIG. l). Similarly, threads 23 (FIG. 3C) are provided on the lower end of the mandrel 21 for connecting the tool 10 to other well tools (such as the full-bore packer 13 shown in FIG. 1). The mandrel 21 and housing 19 are suitably arranged to provide a continuous axial bore 24 through the tool that is substantially the same diameter as that of the tubing string 14.

For establishing the longitudinal position of the housing 19 relative to the mandrel 21, an inwardly projecting lug 25 on the lower end of the housing is slidably received within a so-called J-slot 24 formed in the exterior wall of the mandrel. As best seen in FIG. 2C, this I-slot 26 is formed of a short, vertical slot portion 27 that has a closed lower end and an Open upper end interconnected to a circumferential slot portion 28 therebelow by a downwardly inclined transverse slot portion 29. A conventional thrust bearing 30 mounted around the mandrel 21 defines the bottom of the circumferential slot portion 28 and provides an upwardly directed surface 31 on which the lowermost end of the housing 19 will be engaged to carry the weight of the housing and tubing string 14 whenever the housing is shifted downwardly and rotated relative to the stationary mandrel.

The flexible sleeve 20 is comprised of a tubular mesh 32 formed of tightly woven wire cables or the like and substantially confined between inner 33 and outer 34 flexible tubes of a fluid-impervious or elastomeric material. To couple the sleeve 20 within the tool 10, the opposite ends 35 and 36 of the woven mesh 32 extending beyond the elastomeric tubes 33 and 34 are connected to the housing 19 by suitable securing means such as tubular end fittings 37 and 38.

As best seen in FIG. 2A, the exposed cable ends 35 at the lower end of the sleeve 20 are securely confined within a concentric, annular socket 39 formed in the upper end of the lower end fitting 37. The lower end fitting 37 is, in turn, secured, as by threads 40, to the upper end of an internal annular shoulder 41 in the central portion of the housing 19 and fluidly sealed thereto by an O-ring 42. The tubular end fitting 37 is suitably sized to leave sufficient annular clearance 43 around the end fitting for fluid communication from the space 44 between the housing 19 and the exterior of the sleeve 20 to a longitudinal passage 45 through housing shoulder 41.

To facilitate its manufacture and assembly, the lower end fitting 37 is preferably comprised of telescoped tubular members 46 and 47 that are interfitted together to define the cable end socket 39 and opposed, mating shoulders, at 48, for holding the inner member 46 in position against housing shoulder 41 when the outer member 47 is threadedly engaged therewith. A suitable potting compound, such as the epoxy composition described in U.S. Patent No. 3,003,798, or the like, is employed to secure the lcable ends 35 within the socket 39 as well as to hold the interfitted end-fitting members 46 and 47 together.

The upper end fitting 38 is arranged substantially as the lower end fitting 37 but, however, is not threaded to the housing 19. To couple the upper end of the sleeve 20 to the housing 19, the outer end-fitting member 49 is instead secured, as by threads 50, to an annular spacer member 51 which holds opposed shoulders, as at 52, of the end-fitting members 49 and 53 engaged. The upper end of the annular spacer member 51 is abutted against an internal housing shoulder 54 and connected to a retainer ring 55. A key 56 is connected to the upper end of the housing 19 by a second retainer ring 57 to prevent upward and downward movement as well as rotation of the end fitting 38 :relative to the housing. O-rings 58 and 59 around the annular spacer member 52 fluidly seal the upper end fitting 38 to the housing 19.

As best seen in FIG. 2B, the lower portion of the central housing shoulder 41 is counterbored, as at 60, and internal screw threads 61 are formed in the lower end of the counterbore. A circumferential groove 62 above the screw threads 61 and intersecting passage 45 provides fluid communication between the fluid passage 45 and counterbore 60. The upper end 63 of a tubular member 64 is telescopically received in the counterbore 60 and normally fluidly sealed therein above the groove 62 by an O-ring 65. To hold the tubular member in the position illustrated in FIG. 2B, complementary screw threads 66 around the central portion of the member 64 are threadedly engaged with threads 61. An elongated tubular member 67 is dependently secured to the central housing shoulder 41 above the counterbore 60 and extended downwardly through the tubular jackscrew member 64.

An elongated tubular member 68 is extended upwardly from the upper end of the mandrel 21 around the tubular housing extension 67, with the upper end of the mandrel extension 68 being telescopically received within the lower end of the jackscrew member 64. The jackscrew member 64 is `co-rotatively secured to the tubular mandrel extension 68 by means of an inwardly projecting pin 69 that is received within a complementary longitudinal slot 70 in the tubular mandrel extension. An annular piston member 71 is slidably disposed in the annular space 72 between the housing 19 and mandrel extension 68, with the supper portion of the piston being concentrically fitted around the lower end of the jackscrew member 64 and fluidly sealed thereto by an O-ring 73. An O-ring 74 around the lower end of the piston member 71 fluidly seals the piston to the housing 19. A compression spring 75 between the lower end of the annular piston 71 and an internal housing shoulder 76 (FIG. 2C) normally urges the piston member upwardly relative to the housing 19.

It will be appreciated that the jackscrew member 64 and `annular piston 71 together define a fluid-tight space or piston chamber 77 (FIG. 2B) inside of the housing 19 below the housing shoulder 41 that is in fluid communication (by way of the fluid passage 45 and annular clearance 43) with the space 44 around the sleeve 20. Accordingly, by filling these spaces with a suitable hydraulic fluid (through a conveniently located filling port), a fluid-tight hydraulic system will be provided so long as the jackscrew member 64 remains in the position shown in FIG. 2B.

It will be realized, therefore, that the sleeve 20 in the closed position shown in FIGS 2A and 4, the fluid pressure in the central bore 24 below the sleeve member 20 will be acting upwardly on the bottom of the piston 71 as well as on the lower internal surface of the sleeve (as shown by arrow 78). Furthermore, it will be realized that the force of the spring 75 will also be acting through the annular piston 71. Thus, with the tool 10 in the closed position shown in FIG. 2, the pressure in the hydraulic system (as shown at arrows 79) will be equal to the pressure in the central bore 24 of the tool 10 below the lluid-impervious sleeve 20 plus the product of the force developed by spring 75 divided by the annular crosssectional area of the piston 71 between O-rings 73 and 74. This greater pressure inside of the sleeve 2G will, of course, keep the sleeve tightly closed. It should also be noted that the pressure holding the sleeve 20 closed will always ybe at a constant differential above the pressure in the central bore 24 since the spring 75 imposes a constant force on the piston 71. Thus, by selecting spring 75 to develop a constant differential above the hydrostatic pressure, the valve sleeve 20 will be held tightly closed without risking rupture of the housing 19.

Turning now to the operation of the tool 10, the tool is connected to a string of tools, such as that shown in FIG. l, and is initially disposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 2. As the tool 10 is being lowered into the well bore 15 (FIG l), the hydrostatic pressure of the well control fluids 18 will increase as the tool is lowered. The additional force of the spring 75 will be effective, however, to always develop a pressure in the hydraulic system at a constant differential above the hydrostatic pressure for maintaining the flexible sleeve 20 fully closed.

Once the tool 10 has reached the depth at which it is to be operated, the mandrel 21 is first secured relative to the casing 17. This may be done, for example, by first setting the packer 13 (FIG. l) which secures the tool mandrel 21 relative to the casing 17 so that the tubing string 14 and tool housing 19 may be then moved relative to the mandrel. Once the packer 13 has been set, by picking up and then torquing the tubing string 14 to the right, the lug 25 (FIG. 2C) will slide downwardly through the inclined J-slot portion 29 until it reaches the circumferential slot portion 28. At this point, the lower end of the housing 19 will be engaged on the upper surface 31 of the thrust bearing 30 to support the weight of the housing and tubing string 14. As the housing 19 is shifted downwardly relative to the mandrel 21, the tubular jackscrew member 64 and annular piston 71 will be moveddownwardly relative to the mandrel without changing their positions relative to one another or the housing.

ToA open the sleeve member 20, it will be appreciated that the pressure in the space 44 around the sleeve must be reduced to that of the pressure in the central bore 24 below the sleeve. This is accomplished by means of releasing the hydraulic fluid within the system. Accordingly, when it is desired to open the axial passage 24 through the tool 10, the tubing string 14 is rotated a suicient number of turns in the proper direction to disengage the O-rings 65 at the upper end of the jackscrew member 64 from sealing engagement with the internal surface of the counterbore 60.

It will be recognized that with the packer 13 holding the mandrel 21 xed relative to the casing 17, the cooperative engagement of pin 69 within the longitudinal slot 70 will allow the jackscrew member 64 to shift downwardly but prevent its rotation. On the other hand, although shifting of the I-pin 25 into the circumeferential slot portion 28 will allow the tubing string 14 to rotate the housing 19 relative to both the stationary mandrel 21 and the jackscrew member- 64, the engagement of the lower housing end with the thrust bearing 30 will prevent further downward travel of the housing. Thus, as the housing 19 is rotated by the tubing string 14, the jackscrew member 64 will be shifted downwardly relative to the mandrel 21 and housing as the screw threads 61 and 66 disengage. Once the O-ring 65 at the upper end of the jackscrew member 64 passes into registry with the annular groove 62, the fluid in the hydraulic system will be released to allow the pressure in the central bore 2.4 to expand the sleeve 20 to its full-open position shown in FIG. 3. Once the fluid is released from the hydraulic system, the sleeve 20 will, of course, remain open. Thus, it will be appreciated that the jackscrew member 64 serves as a movable barrier for selectively releasing the hydraulic fluid.

It will be realized that the usual practice is to constrict a resilient sleeve member Iby merely collapsing the opposite walls of its central portion together into a somewhat attened, elongated oval cross section. Inasmuch as each of these sleeve walls has a free length of one-half of the circumference of the sleeve (Vzw-D), the collapsed central portion of the sleeve cannot be accommodated across the diameter of the housing. Instead, unless the housing is enlarged, the collapsed central portion of a conventional sleeve must assume a generally sinuous path and perhaps even double back on itself. It will be recognized, of course, that pressure differentials against such an irregular constriction will impose unequal stresses in the end portions of the sleeve. 4

Accordingly, as best illustrated in FIG. 4, the valve sleeve member 20 is fabricated in such a manner that, when collapsed, a cross section through its central portion will be generally Y-shaped. It will be recognized, of course, that when the sleeve 20 is fully opened, its circumference or perimeter will be equal to llrD. Accordingly, by constricting the central portion of the sleeve 20 into the illustrated Y-shaped configuration, the perimeter of this portion of the sleeve around the three bights 80 will be substantially equal to six radii or three diameters. Thus, since the product of 3D is substantially equal to vrD, it will be appreciated that the sleeve 20 is capable of closing uniformly about its central axis thereby avoiding creation of any unequal circumferential stresses or stresses in the opposite end portions when a pressure differential is acting thereon. i

Returning momentarily to FIG. 2A, it will be recognized that the straight-line distance between end ttings 37 and 38 will always remain constant. Thus, upon collapse of the sleeve 20 into the three radially disposed folds 80 shown in FIG. 4, the length of a longitudinal line, such as at 81, through any of the bights l will remain substantially constant. The length of a longitudinal line, such as at 82, midway between the two bights 80 will be substantially longer, however, as shown by FIG. 2A. Thus, it will be appreciated that if the sleeve 20 were formed in the usual manner, that is to say in a cylindrical tube, there would be extreme longitudinal tensile stresses in those strands between the bights 80 caused by elongation of those strands and little or no longitudinal stresses in those strands along the bights.

Accordingly, by forming the tubular mesh 32 in its collapsed position as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4, it will not be necessary for the tubular mesh to elongate intermediate of the bights 80 in order to assume the position illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 4. Thus, the tubular mesh 32 may be formed of flexible members that are much stronger than heretofore usable since they need not be stretched to close the sleeve. Accordingly, in contrast to a conventional sleeve, when the sleeve member 20 is closed against a differential pressure, little or no tensile stress will be imposed on the tubular mesh 32 that would otherwise be induced as a result of elongation of the mesh. It will be realized, of course, that tensile stresses will be imposed on the sleeve 20- by the pressure differential acting across it but these stresses will instead be uniformly distributed through the strands about the perimeter of the sleeve and transmitted uniformly through the tubular mesh 32 to the end fittings 37 and 38.

To fabricate the sleeve 20, the tubular mesh 32 is first woven from a plurality of flexible members, such as wires, cords or cables 83 (FIG. 5). To facilitate the weaving of the cables 83, it is preferred to form the tubular mesh 32 about twice the desired diameter. Although other types of strands, weave arrangements and patterns may be employed, in one preferred embodiment, the cables 83 were comprised of steel wires stranded together to form a cable of approximately 0.l20inch diameter. The tubular mesh 32 was woven from groups of three paralleled cables 83 which intersect adjacent groups at an angle of approximately 30. Then, upon completion of the tubular mesh 32, its ends are pulled in opposite directions until the tubular mesh has reached a desired diameter of about Ztl/pinches. Pulling of the tubular mesh 32 will of course, pull the individual cables 83 closer to one another as well as change their angle of intersection to an angle of about one-half of their initial angle of intersection. The open ends of the tubular mesh 32 are then slipped over and loosely clamped to a suitable mandrel (not shown) or to the inner end tting members 46 and 55 to transx the open ends. By means of a jig (not shown), force is applied radially inwardly at three equal spaced points around the circumference of the tubular mesh 32 to-constrict the central portion thereof into the above-mentioned Y-shaped cross section.

As the mesh 32 is being constricted, it will be realized that certain ones of the cables comprising the mesh will be drawn inwardly relative to other cables and that certain other cables will be relatively undisturbed. Thus, when the tubular mesh 32 has been fully constricted, it will be appreciated that all of the cables comprising the meshwill be substantially in the position they will assume when hydraulic pressure is applied around the completed Huid-impervious sleeve 20' to close it. Then, while the tubular mesh 32 is held in its constricted p0sition, the ends of the mesh are tightly clamped and, if desired, cut evenly. The end ttings 37 and 38 are then disposed around the ends of the mesh 32 and potted in place by the abovementioned epoxy composition or other adhesives.

Once the end fitting 37 and 38 are in position, it will be appreciated that the tubular mesh 32 will remain generally in its constricted position. The inner and outer elastomeric tubes 33 and 34 are then disposed within and around the tubular mesh 32 and fiuidly sealed to the end fittings 37 and 38. If desired, one or both of the elastomeric tubes 33 and 34 can be bonded to the tubular mesh 32 as well as the end fittings 37 and 38.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that by forming a constrictible fluid-impervious sleeve around a tubular mesh of reinforcing strands in their collapsed positions, a reinforced sleeve will be provided that is capable of maintaining a tight fiuid seal even when closed against high pressure differentials. Moreover, by arranging the reinforcing strands in their relaxed constricted positions, it will not be made necessary for these strands to elongate in order to collapse the sleeve. Thus, by being able to employ much stronger reinforcing strands than has heretofore been possible, a sleeve-type valve may be constricted that is capable of withstanding the generally longitudinal loads imposed by even extremely high pressure differentials.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that by employing such a sleeve, the full-opening well tool of the present invention will be capable of maintaining a tight shut-off as well as being easily opened against high differential pressures. Moreover, the present invention has provided new and improved Well tools that are capable of reliable operation in even extreme well bore conditions.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspect; and, therefore, the aim of the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: means for isolating a portion of a well bore including a tubular member having a longitudinal passage therethrough and packing means coupled thereto and adapted for expansion into sealing engagement between said member and a wall of a well bore; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passage including a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in said passage and collapsible from a passage-opening position to a passage-constricting position, reinforcing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced fiexible strands having portions of unequal length in said sleeve member and extending between longitudinally spaced end portions in said passage, means securing the end portions of said reinforcing strands relative to said tubular member, and means fiuidly sealing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said tubular member; means releasably maintaining said sleeve member collapsed into a passage-constricting position; and means responsive to manipulation of said tubular member for expanding said sleeve member to a passageopening position.

2. In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: means for isolating a portion of a well bore including a tubular member having a longitudinal passage therethrough and packing means coupled thereto and adapted for expansion into sealing engagement between said member and a wall of a Well bore; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passage including a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in said passage and collapsible in response to external pressure from a passage-opening position to a passage-constricting position, reinforcing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced fiexible strands having portions of unequal length in said sleeve member and extending between longitudinally spaced end portions in said passage with longer ones of said strands defining an indented surface between circumferentially spaced shorter ones of said strands, means securing the end portions of said reinforcing strands relative to said tubular member, and means fiuidly sealing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said tubular member for providing an enclosed space between said sleeve member and tubular member; means for developing a first pressure in said enclosed space greater than the pressure in said passage on one end of said sleeve member to collapse said sleeve member; and means responsive to manipulation of said tubular member for equalizing said pressure to expand said sleeve member to a passage-opening position.

3. In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: first and second tubular members having longitudinal passages therethrough telescopically fitted together and arranged for selective movement relative to one another; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passages including a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in the passage through one of said tubular members and collapsible in response to external pressure from a passage-opening position to a passage-constricting position, means securing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said one tubular member, and means fiuidly sealing said sleeve end portions relative to said one tubular member for providing an enclosed space between said one tubular member and sleeve member; means including a fiuid and piston means responsive to fluid pressure in said passage on one end of said sleeve member for developing a greater pressure in said enclosed space sufficient to collapse said sleeve member; and means responsive to relative movement of said tubular members for equalizing said pressures to expand said sleeve member to a passageopening position.

4. In a Well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: first and second tubular members having longitudinal passages therethrough telescopically fitted together and arranged for selective movement relative to one another; means operable for selectively cosecuring said tubular members and selectively releasing said tubular members for relative movement; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passages including a iiexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in the passage through said first tubular member and collapsible in response to external pressure from a passage-opening position to a passage-constricting position, means securing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said first tubular member, and means fluidly sealing said sleeve end portions relative to said first tubular member for providing an enclosed space between said first tubular member and sleeve member; barrier means movably coupled between said tubular members and defining a piston chamber therebetween in fluid communication with said enclosed space; means fluidly sealing said barrier means relative to one of said tubular members; means for normally collapsing said sleeve member including a fluid and a piston member fiuidly sealed in said piston chamber between said barrier means and said one tubular member and movable in response to fluid pressure in said first passage on one end of said sleeve member for developing a greater pressure in said enclosed space sufiicient to collapse said sleeve member; and means responsive to relative movement of said tubular members for moving said barrier means from sealing engagement with said one tubular member to release said fluid and equalize said pressures to expand said sleeve member to a passage-opening position.

5. In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: rst and second tubular members having longitudinal passages therethrough telescopically fitted together and arranged for selective rotation relative to one another; aneans operable for selectively co-rotatively securing said tubular members and releasing said tubular members for relative rotation; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passages includin-g a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in the passage through said rst tubular member and collapsible in response to external pressure from a passageopening position to a passage-fconstricting position, means securing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said first tubular member, and means fluidly sealing said sleeve end portions relative to said first tubular member for providing an enclosed space between said first tubular member and sleeve member; means including a barrier sleeve threadedly coupled within and fluidly sealed to one of said tubular members defining a pisto'n chamber therebetween in communication with said enclosed space; means for normally collapsing said sleeve member including a ilu-id ,and a piston member fluidly sealed in said piston chamber and movable in response to fluid pressure on lone end of said sleeve member for developing a greater pressure in said enclosed space sufficient to collapse said sleeve member; and means co-rotatively securing said barrier sleeve to the other of said tubular members for unthreading said barrier sleeve from sealing engagement with said one tubular member upon relative rotation of said tubular members to release said fluid and equalize said pressures to expand said sleeve member to .a passage-opening position.

6. In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: first and second tubular members having longitudinal passages therethrough telescopically fitted together and arranged for longitudinal travel relative to one another .between first and second positions; means selectively operable for co-lrotatively securing said tubular members in one of said positions and releasing said tubular members Ifor relative rotation in the other of said positions; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passages including a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in the passage through said first tubular member Iand collapsible in response to pressure exterior of sai-d sleeve member to a passage-'constricting position, reinforcing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced flexible strands having portions o-f unequal length in said sleeve member and extending between longitudinally spaced end portions in said passage with longer ones olf said strands defining an' indented surface between circumferentially spaced shorter ones of said strands, means securing the end portions of said reinforcing strands relative to said first tubular memlber, and means fluidly seal-ing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said first tubular member for providing -an enclosed space between said first tubular member and sleeve member; means for collapsing said sleeve member including a piston chamber in one of said tubular members in fluid communication with said enclosed space and receiving a fluid, and piston means movable in said chamber in response to fluid pressure in said passage on one end of said sleeve member for developing a pressure in said enclosed space greater than said fluid pressure sufiicient to collapse said sleeve member; and means responsive to relative rotation of said tubular members for releasing said fluid from said piston chamber to equalize said pressures to expand said sleeve member to a passage-opening position.

7. In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: first and second tubular members having longitudinal passages therethrough telescopically fitted together and arranged for longitudinal travel relative to one another between first and second positions; means slectively operable [for co-rotatively securing said tubular members in one of said positions and releasing said tubular members -for relative :rotation in the other of said positions; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passages including a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in the passage through said rst tubular member and collapsible in response to pressure exterior of said sleeve member to a passage-con- 10 stricting position, reinforcing means in said sleeve member including a plurality of circumferentially spaced flexible strands having central portions of unequal length extending between longitudinally spaced end portions in said passage with longer ones of said strands defining an indented surface between circumferentially spaced shorter ones of said strands, means securing the end portions of said reinforcing strands relative to said first tubular member, and means fluidly sealing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said first tubular member for providing an enclosed space Ibetween said first tubular member and sleeve member; a barrier sleeve coaxially disposed within and threadedly coupled to one olf said tubular members and normally fluidly sealed thereto for defining `an annular piston chamber in fluid communication with said enclosed space; an annular piston member slida'bly received within said piston chamber and fluidly sealed to said barrier sleeve and one tubular member for confining a hydraulic fluid therein; and means coupling said barrier sleeve to the other orf said tubular members .rfor unthreading said barrier sleeve from sealing engagement with said one tubular member to release hydraulic fluid from said piston chamber upon relative rotation of said tubular members.

8,'In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: first and second tubular members having longitudinal passages therethrough telescopically tted together and arranged for 'longitudinal travel relative to one another between first and second positions; means selectively operable lfor co-rotatively securing said tubular members in one of said positions and releasing said tub-ular members for relative rotation in the other of said positions; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passages including a liexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in the passage through said first tulbular member and collapsible in response to pressure exterior of said sleeve member to a passage-constricting position, reinforcing means in said sleeve member including a plurality olf circumferentially spaced flexible strands havin-g central portions of unequal length extending between longitudinally spaced end portions in said passage with longer ones of said strands defining an indented surface between circumferentially spaced shorter ones of said strands, means securing the end portions of said reinforcing strands relative to said first tubular member, and means uidly sealing the end portions of said sleeve member relative to said first tubular member for providing an enclosed space between said first tubular member and sleeve member; a movable barrier sleeve coaxially disposed within .and threadedly coupled to onel of said tubular members and normally fiuidly sealed thereto for defining an annular piston chamber; passage means providing fluid communication between sai-d piston chamber and enclosed space; an annular piston member slidably received within said piston chamber and fluidly sealed to said barrier sleeve and one tubular member for confining a hydraulic fluid therein; means normally biasing said piston member into said piston chamber; and means coupling said barrier sleeve to the other of said tubular members for unthreading and moving said barrier sleeve from sealing engagement with said one tubular mem-ber to release hydraulic fluid from said piston chamber upon relative rotation of said tubular members.

9. In a well tool adapte-d for connection in a string of pipe in a well bore: means for isolating a portion of a well bore including a tubular member having a longitudinal passage therethrough and packing means coupled thereto and adapted for expansion into sealing engagement between said member and a wall `of a well bore; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passage including a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member in said passage and collapsible from a passage-opening position to a passage-const-ricting position, and means tluidly sealing the end portions of said sleeve memlber relative to said tubular member; means releasably maintaining said sleeve member collapsed into a passage-constricting position; and means lresponsive to manipulation of said tubular membe-r for expanding said sleeve member to a passage-opening position.

10. In a Well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a Well bore: means for isolating a portion of a Well bore including a tubular member having a longitudinal passage therethrough and packing means 'coupled thereto and adapted for exansion into sea-ling engagement between said member and a wall of a welll bore; valve means dor selectively controlling communication through said passage including a flexible fluid-impervious sleeve member iluidly sealed in said passage and collapsible from a passage-opening position to a passageaconstricting position, lrein-forcing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced flexible strands having portions of unequal length in said sleeve member and extending between longitudinally spaced end portions in said passage, and means securing the end portions of said reinforcing strands relative to said tubular member; means releasably maintaining said sleeve member collapsed into a passageconstricting position; and hydraulic means responsive to manipulation of said tubular member for expanding said sleeve member to a passage-opening position.

11. In a well tool adapted for connection in a string of pipe in a Well bore: first and second tubular members having longitudinal passages therethrough te-lescopically fitted together and arranged for selective movement relative to one another; valve means for selectively controlling communication through said passages including a exible fluid-impervious sleeve member in the passage through one of said tubular 4members and collapsible in response to external pressure from a lpassage-opening position to a passage-constrieting position, and means fluidly sealing said sleeve end portions relative to said one tubular memlber for providing an enclosed space y'between said one tubular member and sleeve member; hydraulic means responsive to fluid pressure in said passage on one end of said sleeve member `for developing a greater pressure in said enclosed space sufficient tio collapse said sleeve member; and means responsive to relative movement of said tu'bular members for equalizing said pressures to expand said sleeve member to a passage-opening position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,627,874 2/1953 Johnson 251-5 2,750,959 6/1956 Von Seggern 251-5 X 2,778,432 l/l957 Allen 166-187 X 2,812,822 11/1957 OReilly 166-142 X 2,850,102 9/1958 Brown 166-226 2,872,230 2/1959 Desbrandes 166-187 X 3,283,823 11/1966 Warrington 166-187 X CHARLES E. oCoNNELL, Prime Examiner.

DAVID H. BROWN, Examiner.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,338 31() August 29 1967 Howard L. McGill It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentl requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as correctedbelow. 'p

In the heading to the printed specification, lines 3 and 4, "Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation" should read Schlumberger Technology Corporation Column 3, line 6, "24" should read 26 Column 4, line 18, "supper" should read upper Column 5, line 30 "circumeferential" should read circumferential Column 7 line l8 after "be" cancel "made"; line 2l "constricted'Vshould read constructed Column 8, line l2 "pressure" should read pressures Column 9, line 68, "slectively" should read selectively Signed and sealed this 23rd day of September 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD-M. FLETCHERJR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

9. IN A WELL TOOL ADAPTED FOR CONNECTING IN A STRING OF PIPE IN A WELL BORE; MEANS FOR ISOLATING A PORTION OF A WELL BORE INCLUDING A TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE THERETHROUGH AND PACKING MEANS COUPLED THERETO AND ADAPTED FOR EXPANSION INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID MEMBER AND A WALL OF WALL BORE; VALVE MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING COMMUNICATION THROUGH SAID PASSAGE INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE FLUID-IMPREVIOUS SLEEVE MEMBER IN SAID PASSAGE AND COLLAPSIBLE FROM A PASSAGE-OPENING POSITION TO A PASSAGE-CONSTRICTING POSTION, AND MEANS FLUIDLY SEALING THE END PORTIONS OF SAID SLEEVE MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID MEMBER COLLAPSED INTO RELEASABLY MAINTAINING SAID SLEEVE MEMBER COLLAPSED INTO A PASSAGE-CONSTRICTING POSITION; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO MANIPULATION OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER FOR EXPANDING SAID SLEEVE MEMBER TO A PASSAGE-OPENING POSITION. 